There are three important things to consider when using the Internet for a small business. All three will help to increase the fair market value of your company. A web site is a great source of advertising and distribution for a small business. The name of the game is cash flow and one needs to know how to generate this in the virtual world. How will the World Wide Web help out your small or home business and gain you some cash flow?

Expand markets and increasing sales. The Internet gives the business owner a chance at a much broader market area. There are no more geographic restrictions to hold you back. Simply building a web site, however, will not automatically grant you more business. You will need to market to your targeted audience to gain more business. Once properly marketed, a web site is a very effective way to reach new and current customers, boostiing sales. The web provides the company with a 24 hour per day, 7 days per week brochure to be viewed at the client’s leisure. A professional looking web page is of the utmost importance. It is the client or potential client’s first view of who you are and what you do. You will want to utilize Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to increase the traffic onto your site and get better and higher ratings. This will make sure your web site is in the first few pages of search results. You can also hire a consultant to help you with marketing if you don’t know what you are doing.

Maximize your profitability. Using the Internet will also allow you to increase your profitability, not to mention streamline automation in your small business. It will be easy for your customers to order replacements parts, refer friends and family, and order new products in your stock faster. You will only be a click away from a sale. You will be able to use e-mail to show off new products and give your customers coupons. Be sure to have a spot on your web site that allows the customer or potential customer to fill in their name and e-mail address. This will allow you to send them promotions and newsletters regularly. The more they see and hear from you the better off you will be and the more you will make.

Increase customer retention. The Internet also provides a great amount of customer contact and support. Being readily available for immediate response to your clients makes them trust and respect you. They will want to do business with you again. Also the content that you provide your customers with will keep them coming back to hear the latest news and learn more. This is a great way to keep customers visiting until a new product is introduced. They will be more likely to buy from you again if they were able to read about the benefits and have faith you will be there for them.